"Open education" is used here to designate a general approach to teaching and learning which presumes the child's right and competence to make important decisions; views the teacher more as a facilitator of learning than a transmitter of knowledge; encompasses ideas such as vertical or "family" grouping; and offers flexibility of time,…

The primary objective of this study was to encourage teacher education programs to further the knowledge of the principles, modes of teaching, learning styles, and organization of open education. Procedures used in conducting the study were (1) an analysis of the literature reflecting a theorectical framework within which the components of open…

Describes study of 435 Israeli elementary school students to assess effects of open education on reading comprehension assignments. Literature on open education is reviewed, the hypotheses tested are described, results are analyzed comparing the effects of open education with the effects of traditional classroom instruction, and 46 references are…

Reviews the contributions and educational philosophy of Herbert Spencer. The 19th-century social philosopher was an advocate of Pestalozzianism, an early form of open education and a precursor to John Dewey's progressive education. Discusses a broad range of educational reform movements and how they influenced Spencer. (MJP)

This assignment pack is designed for students and tutors working in open, flexible, or distance learning in Britain. Each of the six sections contains the following: (1) a detailed contents page that identifies the assignment under an activity heading, an individual title, and indication of the relationship to the City and Guilds of London…

This essay traces the history of the school reform movement from colonial times to the present. Public school reform tends either toward equalizing educational opportunity or higher academic achievement, but seldom both. The essay asks the question: Can public school provide equal educational opportunity and be excellent too? By tracing the…

Adolescents have a strong need to feel that they belong. This book relates the story of a nontraditional high school, at which the author was a part-time staff member during the 1987-88 academic year. Data were gathered from participant observation and from interviews with 23 teachers and staff members, 42 students, and 6 educational…

Resource-based learning (RBL) is one of the most useful, successful, and acceptable approaches to curriculum delivery, easily adapted to different styles of teaching and learning. It brings together all of the resource elements--tutor, learning resources, and student--into a learning partnership. Two essential aspects of RBL are its…

This paper presents a framework and model for design of open-ended learning environments (OELEs). First, an overview is presented that addresses key characteristics of OELEs, including: use of meaningful, complex contexts; provision of tools and resources; learner reflection and self-monitoring; and social, material, or technological scaffolding.…

The rapid development of modern information and communications technologies has opened new possibilities for establishing and delivering distance learning. In addition, the new learning paradigm based on cognitive learning theories can emphasize the quality of the learning process. The open learning environment that utilizes modern communications…

Starting with the contention that we need to restore a wider range of choice to parents in their children's education, this paper lists and reviews the varieties of public education currently available throughout the country, and discusses their advantages and disadvantages. These varieties include magnet schools, alternative schools, independent…

This final report presents an evaluation of the Designing and Implementing Programs for the Little School Component which is a program designed to develop, implement, and disseminate a program of individualized instruction at the Howard D. Woodson Senior High School. The purpose of the program is to improve academic achievement and student…

The ongoing work life of four classes of elementary school children from relatively affluent families was examined for approximately 2 years by a participant observer/classroom teacher in an attempt to identify possible causes of student alienation, i.e., negative, unproductive or disruptive behaviors. Examples of such behaviors include hostility,…

Described are the investigatory procedures, research and development, and achievements and conclusions for each of 12 work assignments for the 13-month period from January 1, 1974 through January 31, 1975 relating to the University of Mid-America (UMA). UMA is a regional consortium, comprised of the University of Kansas, Kansas State University,…

The enrollment of learners is significant to the State University of Nebraska (SUN) and the University of Mid-America (UMA). SUN is the pilot state delivery system and UMA is the regional course development, delivery coordination, and research agency; both view current enrollment as an indicator of future response to courses developed by the UMA…